I lusted after this one a year after buying my DW back in the 80s, but couldn't afford it. Finally got one in '03 and had it up until about '10. It's a beast. Same analog filters as DW, improved 12-bit waveforms over the DW's 8-bit (had a beefier sound as a result), twin DDLs over the DW's single one, and best improvement of all: OSCILLATOR SYNC on sampled waveforms -- a synthesizer rarity.

Same analog filters as DW, improved 12-bit waveforms over the DW's 8-bit (had a beefier sound as a result), twin DDLs over the DW's single one, and best improvement of all: OSCILLATOR SYNC on sampled waveforms -- a synthesizer rarity.

If you're looking for a DSS-1 and come across a DSM-1 (rackmount version), be aware that the DSM-1 does have some differences from a DSS-1, which are covered elsewhere in these forums. Which is "better" depends on what you're looking for.

rschnier wrote:If you're looking for a DSS-1 and come across a DSM-1 (rackmount version), be aware that the DSM-1 does have some differences from a DSS-1, which are covered elsewhere in these forums. Which is "better" depends on what you're looking for.

Isn't the biggest difference the lack of the filter? Kind of a deal-breaker for many, since that's one of the things people rave about on the DSS-1.

It's the lack of the digital delays, and that the Q parameter on the filters isn't controllable. However, there are a couple other areas where the DSM-1 is better, so the choice depends on what you value the most.

I may be in the minority, but I had an EX-8000 for a while and wasn't particularly impressed with it. It sounded very 80's to me (not necessarily a bad thing) and I swear I heard a preset from it in a KRS-1 song. It did have a delay on it which I didn't use enough admittedly, but the sound for me was so 80's and I was never satisfied with any patches I made. I never found anything particularly usable. I think I remember seeing an old thread from Joey in which he stated that Crystal Castles used one and he couldn't believe the bass that was coming out of it, but I could very well be wrong. It has a lot of love around here and makes me wonder if I missed something...